Thai Patriots Network cannot close Sa Kaeo border checkpoint: Suthep

via CAAI

BANGKOK, Jan 13 -- Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said Thursday that the government will not allow the activist Thai Patriots Network to push its agenda and close the Sa Kaeo border checkpoint in Aranyaprathet district as threatened to urge the government to help seven Thais detained in Cambodia.

Mr Suthep said the government has given every assistance in trying to help the detainees, and he personally believed the talks were the best way to find a solution, He expressed confidence that using threats will not bear fruit.

As for the Thai Patriots Network's plan to rally at the Thai-Cambodian border area at Aranyaprathet and threaten to close the border to pressure the Thai and Cambodian governments to release the seven Thais, Mr Suthep said he has ordered local officials to carry out their duties as normal.

However, he said, the government would not let the political activist network close the border as it could violate other people's rights.

"The protesters could demonstrate in accordance with their rights but the border closure will not be allowed as the area is business area, the people of the two countries are crossing to each other territory. The government wants to see the good relations between the two countries and eases the rift," he said.

The deputy premier said the government could not stop the Thai Patriots Network to have negative feeling and dissatisfied with the government's attempt to help the seven Thais.

He said people could have different idea but the government did not want the see any group divided against each other.

He added that even though both the red- and yellow-shirt people groups are planning to rally against the government, it was not necessary to reinstate the emergency decree. The authorities can keep the situation under control using ordinary law.

Mr Suthep said the government earlier had invited Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sok An to attend meeting on Preah Vihear disputes but get no confirmation on the trip after the incident of seven Thais detained in Cambodia.

Meanwhile, the Thai Patriots Network who had already gathered at Government House on Wednesday announced to step up their protest at Government House.

Mr Chaiwat Sinsuwong, a core member of the Thai Patriots Network, on Wednesday said in members of his group may close the permanent Aranyaprathet-Poipet checkpoint in Sa Kaeo's Aranyaprathet district to pressure Cambodia to release the seven Thais.

He said the closure was aimed at preventing Thai gamblers from crossing the border to patronise casinos in Poipet and barring illicit activities along the border including smuggling of contraband, drugs and the movement of illegal labour.

However, the decision of the so-called patriots network movement would be discussed among its leaders at 4pm.

The seven Thais, including Democrat member of parliament for Bangkok Panich Vikitsreth, were arrested Dec 29 by the Cambodian authorities for illegal entry into Cambodian territory in Banteay Meanchey province and are now detained in Phnom Penh's Prey Sar Prison.

However, the latest report from Phnom Penh said the Cambodian Court has granted bail for Mr Panich and Naruemol Chitwaratana, but has not allowed them to return to Thailand. (MCOT online news)